WRY

I. verb (wried; ~ing) Etymology: Middle English wrien, from Old English wrigian to turn; akin to Middle High German rigel kerchief wound around the head, Greek rhiknos shriveled, Avestan urvisyeiti he turns Date: 14th century intransitive verb twist , writhe , transitive verb to pull out of or as if out of proper shape ; make a~, II. adjective (~er; ~est) Date: 15th century having a bent or twisted shape or condition , wrongheaded 1, cleverly and often ironically or grimly humorous, ~ly adverb ~ness noun